Mobile phone for capturing and printing images

Abstract

A mobile phone is provided for capturing and printing images. The phone comprises a phone body defining front and rear faces. The front face has a keypad and display, and the rear face has a removable cover. A camera is fitted to the body and is configured to capture an image. A print media stock container is located approximately centrally within the body and is accessible when the cover is removed. A printer assembly is fitted within the body proximate to a base end of the body. The printer assembly includes an ink ejection printhead configured to print the captured image upon print media. The printer assembly further includes feed means provided between the print media stock container and the base end of the body. The feed means is configured to feed print media from the stock container past the printhead during printing.

1. A mobile phone comprising:
 a phone body defining front and rear faces, the front face having a keypad and display and the rear face having a removable cover; 
 a camera fitted to the body and configured to capture an image; 
 a print media stock container located approximately centrally within the body and accessible when the cover is removed; and 
 a printer assembly fitted within the body, proximate to a base end of the body, the printer assembly including an ink ejection printhead configured to print the captured image upon print media, the printer assembly further including feed means provided between the print media stock container and the base end of the body, the feed means configured to feed print media from the stock container and past the printhead during printing. 
 
     
     
       2. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stock container includes leaf springs for releasably compressing a print media stack stored therein. 
     
     
       3. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the print media feed means includes pinch rollers which are driven by a motor via a gear train. 
     
     
       4. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the printer assembly includes a replaceable printhead and ink distribution unit assembly, in turn, including the printhead and an ink distribution unit configured to distribute ink to the printhead. 
     
     
       5. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the ink distribution unit includes a series of ink supply reservoirs for containing respective types of ink, one reservoir being substantially larger than the other reservoirs. 
     
     
       6. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover defines a lip which projects along the phone base and defines an edge of the slot. 
     
     
       7. A mobile phone as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stock container is sized to receive business card sized print media cards.